The Criterion Collection

[oildude]

Originally Posted by Hendershot737

Is there a blu realease of Downfall? That's one I'd love to have. I doubt Criterion could/would get their hands on this, but that would be a fine addition to the collection (unless, of course, there's a realease out already that has a decent transfer, extras, etc.)

Originally Posted by octagon

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Downf...y/1566/#Review

I have this UK release and it's very good. The only shortcoming is the 640k lossy audio. There are other releases (German for one) with DTS-HD audio.

If I were buying it again I might pay attention to that but to be honest the lossy is far from a dealbreaker.

I also have the UK version bought from Amazon.uk a couple of years ago. It is region-free, and has not changed much in price since I bought it. At 7 pounds sterling, it is a steal. For a long time you couldn't find Downfall but it appears to be back in stock. I wouldn't wait too long to grab it. The price includes VAT, which is subtracted for orders to the US, and makes up for most of the shipping cost.

And if you are looking to pick up a few more region-free releases from Amazon.uk to make a more substantial order, I can recommend the following:

Zulu
The Italian Job (40th Anniversary of the original starring Michael Caine)
The Boys from Brazil
The Lavender Hill Mob
The Eagle has Landed

All are super cheap right now, region-free, and all have very nice transfers. I watched The Italian Job last night and it is gorgeous.


EDIT: Zulu has some rather thick DNR in places, but I am not bothered by it like some might be.

[RojD]

Originally Posted by Tin Drum

Do you know when this deal expires? For curiosity's sake - what are the other three films? I searched but could not find an answer...

Bad luck, man. The Criterion/Hulu deals only last a week. But I noticed what looks like a decent Mishima used on Amazon.

I check the Criterion Facebook page to see what they're doing on Hulu every week. Criterion marks 50% off of four films that are running on Hulu.

This week is a great deal if you don't have the films already: the Nikkatsu Noir Eclipse set. That's 50% off the MSR of $70. It's one of the best Eclipse collections I've watched. And Tokyo Drifter is 50% off, too. Criterion pages is http://www.criterion.com/hulu_special

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by RojD

Bad luck, man. The Criterion/Hulu deals only last a week. But I noticed what looks like a decent Mishima used on Amazon.

I check the Criterion Facebook page to see what they're doing on Hulu every week. Criterion marks 50% off of four films that are running on Hulu.

This week is a great deal if you don't have the films already: the Nikkatsu Noir Eclipse set. That's 50% off the MSR of $70. It's one of the best Eclipse collections I've watched. And Tokyo Drifter is 50% off, too. Criterion pages is http://www.criterion.com/hulu_special

If you use 'SCORE' on those certain films, it still works. I have HARAKIRI and MISHIMA cut in half. If you want any of the current films on sale, you need to put them in a different order.

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

An interesting "Bio" of a gifted individual who was on the fast track but you knew it would end in a trainwreck. Ogata-san was an excellent choice to play such an intense individual. (Also in Criterion's Shohei Imamura's film, Vengeance Is Mine which is also based on a true story.)

So I take it, it's worth a blind buy? I enjoyed Schrader's writing in Scorsese's films, so him writing and directing definitely interests me.

[Tin Drum]

Originally Posted by RojD

Bad luck, man. The Criterion/Hulu deals only last a week. But I noticed what looks like a decent Mishima used on Amazon.

I check the Criterion Facebook page to see what they're doing on Hulu every week. Criterion marks 50% off of four films that are running on Hulu.

This week is a great deal if you don't have the films already: the Nikkatsu Noir Eclipse set. That's 50% off the MSR of $70. It's one of the best Eclipse collections I've watched. And Tokyo Drifter is 50% off, too. Criterion pages is http://www.criterion.com/hulu_special

Thank you very much for the info on Mishima. I went ahead and ordered it with the 50% off SCORE code and then used my ten dollar gift certificate to bring it down to a total of 15.92 !

This movie is amazing and even though it's on dvd - I am still proud to have it in my collection. One more down...

[jcs913]

A little OT, but I know there are some Billy Wilder fans here. Looks like Double Indemnity is coming out on BD on 9/4. MOC has released a great looking version, but it is locked for those that do not have region-free capabilities. I saw the post of the upcoming Universal releases in the Hitchcok box set thread. rezpekt posted a link that seems to be some inside info on Universal releases. IMO, one of the best noir films ever released. Here is the link to page 5 for the lazy... Just stroll down to #86

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...=198021&page=5

[rkish]

Originally Posted by oildude

I also have the UK version bought from Amazon.uk a couple of years ago. It is region-free, and has not changed much in price since I bought it. At 7 pounds sterling, it is a steal. For a long time you couldn't find Downfall but it appears to be back in stock. I wouldn't wait too long to grab it. The price includes VAT, which is subtracted for orders to the US, and makes up for most of the shipping cost.

And if you are looking to pick up a few more region-free releases from Amazon.uk to make a more substantial order, I can recommend the following:

Zulu
The Italian Job (40th Anniversary of the original starring Michael Caine)
The Boys from Brazil
The Lavender Hill Mob
The Eagle has Landed

All are super cheap right now, region-free, and all have very nice transfers. I watched The Italian Job last night and it is gorgeous.


EDIT: Zulu has some rather thick DNR in places, but I am not bothered by it like some might be.

Downfall is currently streamable on NetFlix...I might even watch it tonight myself.

[rkish]

Originally Posted by jcs913

A little OT, but I know there are some Billy Wilder fans here. Looks like Double Indemnity is coming out on BD on 9/4. MOC has released a great looking version, but it is locked for those that do not have region-free capabilities. I saw the post of the upcoming Universal releases in the Hitchcok box set thread. rezpekt posted a link that seems to be some inside info on Universal releases. IMO, one of the best noir films ever released. Here is the link to page 5 for the lazy... Just stroll down to #86

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...=198021&page=5

That is part of what fueled my getting The Lost Weekend first from MoC. I want to see the comparison between the two versions of Double Indemnity. Though I've got a feeling that I'll likely wind up getting the UK version anyway.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by rkish

That is part of what fueled my getting The Lost Weekend first from MoC. I want to see the comparison between the two versions of Double Indemnity. Though I've got a feeling that I'll likely wind up getting the UK version anyway.

Rich, you will always have a 'soft spot' for MOC.. I passed on both Wilders for now from them, but they do look great. Now with this Universal hopefully coming out soon, I will probably pick that up now. Universal has been putting out some decent catalog releases lately.

By the way, I have had the Downfall UK release for years now. As you know, I love the WW2 films, and it is demo quality PQ. Truly Fantastic. The audio is DD, but still very robust. I dropped netflix streaming, as the quality seems to be getting worse. If you can, pick up the BD, it is well worth it. By the way, I thought that UK Downfall release was OOP, but people are talking about it, so it must be available.

[DarkRyder]

Any idea if there's a chance Mishima will be coming to blu from CC anytime soon?

[TJS_Blu]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I saw the post of the upcoming Universal releases in the Hitchcok box set thread. rezpekt posted a link that seems to be some inside info on Universal releases.

It was posted on BR.com as well, got moved to the Wish-List subforum. Doubt that Double Indemnity will actually meet that date...

[Rizor]

I watched The Gold Rush for the first time earlier. I decided to go with the 1925 version, and thank God for that. I started watching the '42 version out of curiosity afterwards, and what an abomination! Chaplin's narration is awful and his insistence on describing everything on screen is damned annoying. Thanks for Criterion for taking the time to help restore the '25 version. Otherwise, I likely would've hated the experience of watching this movie.

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by Rizor

I watched The Gold Rush for the first time earlier. I decided to go with the 1925 version, and thank God for that. I started watching the '42 version out of curiosity afterwards, and what an abomination! Chaplin's narration is awful and his insistence on describing everything on screen is damned annoying. Thanks for Criterion for taking the time to help restore the '25 version. Otherwise, I likely would've hated the experience of watching this movie.

Thanks for that bit of a review/insight. I, myself, plan to buy The Gold Rush soon (possibly within just a few hours). I'll keep your thoughts in mind when I finally sit down to watch it for the first time.

[TylerDurden]

So whats the deal with the Barnes & Noble sale? I hope it goes live tonight.

[DarkRyder]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

So whats the deal with the Barnes & Noble sale? I hope it goes live tonight.

If it goes live, it will be on July 10th

[BluPix]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

So whats the deal with the Barnes & Noble sale? I hope it goes live tonight.

Originally Posted by DarkRyder

If it goes live, it will be on July 10th

Yes, I believe it will be a couple more weeks before the 50% off Criterion sale starts at B&N. Remember, patience is a virtue and good things come to those who...well, you get the idea.

In the meantime (and following the lead of a previous poster), I just placed my order for three titles I've been quite interested in owning (all quite new to Criterion blu), on the last day of the Buy 2 Get the 3rd Free sale:
—The 39 Steps
—The Gold Rush
—Shallow Grave

The B&N base price for each title was $27.99, among the cheapest of the Criterion blus, which was the only way for this sale to really be worth much for Criterion blus (though maybe not for the other blu-rays and DVDs).

The 39 Steps became the free title for a subtotal of $55.98 or $18.66 per title, which is actually a deal that's a little better than I would've had with the 50% off (the list price of $39.99 each) sale, which would have been $20.00 per title.

Since the total was over $50, I was able to apply a $5.00 off coupon code for members (W8X8Y4N, expires July 29th). The retailer charges sales tax for my area so the total came to $55.50. For a little icing on the cake, I connected to the B&N site through Ebates.com to receive a 2% rebate (yes, it's tiny, but every cent counts, right?), so the total paid will be $54.39 or $18.13 per title.

Looking forward to the 50% off sale — and more big savings and deals.

[TylerDurden]

Originally Posted by BluPix

Yes, I believe it will be a couple more weeks before the 50% off Criterion sale starts at B&N. Remember, patience is a virtue and good things come to those who...well, you get the idea.

In the meantime (and following the lead of a previous poster), I just placed my order for three titles I've been quite interested in owning (all quite new to Criterion blu), on the last day of the Buy 2 Get the 3rd Free sale:
—The 39 Steps
—The Gold Rush
—Shallow Grave

The B&N base price for each title was $27.99, among the cheapest of the Criterion blus, which was the only way for this sale to really be worth much for Criterion blus (though maybe not for the other blu-rays and DVDs).

The 39 Steps became the free title for a subtotal of $55.98 or $18.66 per title, which is actually a deal that's a little better than I would've had with the 50% off (the list price of $39.99 each) sale, which would have been $20.00 per title.

Since the total was over $50, I was able to apply a $5.00 off coupon code for members (W8X8Y4N, expires July 29th). The retailer charges sales tax for my area so the total came to $55.50. For a little icing on the cake, I connected to the B&N site through Ebates.com to receive a 2% rebate (yes, it's tiny, but every cent counts, right?), so the total paid will be $54.39 or $18.13 per title.

Looking forward to the 50% off sale — and more big savings and deals.

Awesome deal! But I have the Hitchcock set on preorder which already includes 39 steps.

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

Awesome deal! But I have the Hitchcock set on preorder which already includes 39 steps.

Umm.. which Blu-ray boxset includes The 39 Steps?

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

Awesome deal! But I have the Hitchcock set on preorder which already includes 39 steps.

No it doesn't. The Hitchcock set starts in 1942, while The 39 Steps came out in 1935. Anything Pre-1942 is not in this set.

Speaking of The 39 Steps, I got thr free ebook of Project Guttenberg, and will probably start readIng it after I watch the film to compare. I read Howards End the other day, and thought the film adaptation was quite faithful to the novel. I also read The Turn of the Screw, which many of you might know better as the Deborah Kerr film, The Innocents. I thOught the film was slightly more suspenseful than the novella though. I'm current reading The Big Sleep, and will probably chase that with The Postman Always Rings Twice, as TCM had it on yesterday.

[TylerDurden]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

No it doesn't. The Hitchcock set starts in 1942, while The 39 Steps came out in 1935. Anything Pre-1942 is not in this set.

Speaking of The 39 Steps, I got thr free ebook of Project Guttenberg, and will probably start readIng it after I watch the film to compare. I read Howards End the other day, and thought the film adaptation was quite faithful to the novel. I also read The Turn of the Screw, which many of you might know better as the Deborah Kerr film, The Innocents. I thOught the film was slightly more suspenseful than the novella though. I'm current reading The Big Sleep, and will probably chase that with The Postman Always Rings Twice, as TCM had it on yesterday.

Awesome! $55.98 out the door! Thanks